Really nice way to wrap up the year!
Nov 26, 2016 20:01:06 GMT -8
baseba1111, lebaneaver, and 1 more like this
Post by beavadelic on Nov 26, 2016 20:01:06 GMT -8
That was another great step for our program this afternoon in Reser. I was so proud of the kids for not hanging their heads in the 3rd quarter amidst several lousy calls by the officials and some tough luck had them in a 10 point hole against….hole.
Nall was a beast, but I also really love the way that Pierce runs. He is more in the mold of some of our most effective backs over the past 20 years, with deceptive power to go with nice explosiveness and vision. Marcus wasn't sharp throwing the ball early, and we didn't get much of a pass rush as usual, but it's been interesting for me to see some of the ways that as entire units, our offense and defense has stepped it up and overcome some glaring issues. While Marcus didn't throw particularly well, he finally got involved in actually reading in the read option, and made hole pay several times with good decisions and decisive runs.
This past month has to serve as a wonderful springboard for our players heading into off-season training. Even though we fell into the Cougs' trap and dropped a game that we probably should have won, and ran out of gas in the Rose Bowl, we were right there in both games, flaws and all.
What I really love is the determination of these players. I will give props to HCGA and his staff for getting them to believe, and they are responding by being a much tougher out for everyone than a year ago. The more that I look at it, the more convinced that a comparison to McIntyre's success trajectory at Colorado is pretty apropos. One advantage that Andersen has over the Buffs coach is that the program wasn't in anywhere near the mess that his program was in when he went to Boulder 4 years ago. As a result, we're maybe a 1/2 year ahead of them in getting on track. We are competing and losing close in year two, and finished on a very high note. It's irrelevant how horrendously bad Arizona is (how silly must ASU feel after giving up 500+ rushing yards last night and losing by three TDs to the 'cats?) or how down the ucks are (they may have quit on Helfridge after all)
We took care of our business, and it looks like we have a chance to be a much better team next fall with such a heavy group of experienced young guys returning. We will have to figure out this QB thing. We are so much more like Utah than Colorado in terms of what we are looking at. We are one dynamic, steady performer at that position from having being a really good offensive team. Until we get that satisfactorily solved, we will rely on ground and pound (losing 3 starters from the O-line will be challenging) on offense and an ever-improving defense to keep games close against the best and to wear down those who are less than that. We have so many good people returning in our back 7 that if we can only figure out a competent rotation on the D-line, we could be a much tougher and more consistent defense next year.
Great job today, Beavs. Way to finish on a high note. Here's hoping that the coaches close strong on the recruiting trail and that stud linebacker from Salt Lake sticks with us when he returns from his mission in June. I'm encouraged tonight, and very much looking forward to seeing evidence of improvement in the fall!
Nall was a beast, but I also really love the way that Pierce runs. He is more in the mold of some of our most effective backs over the past 20 years, with deceptive power to go with nice explosiveness and vision. Marcus wasn't sharp throwing the ball early, and we didn't get much of a pass rush as usual, but it's been interesting for me to see some of the ways that as entire units, our offense and defense has stepped it up and overcome some glaring issues. While Marcus didn't throw particularly well, he finally got involved in actually reading in the read option, and made hole pay several times with good decisions and decisive runs.
This past month has to serve as a wonderful springboard for our players heading into off-season training. Even though we fell into the Cougs' trap and dropped a game that we probably should have won, and ran out of gas in the Rose Bowl, we were right there in both games, flaws and all.
What I really love is the determination of these players. I will give props to HCGA and his staff for getting them to believe, and they are responding by being a much tougher out for everyone than a year ago. The more that I look at it, the more convinced that a comparison to McIntyre's success trajectory at Colorado is pretty apropos. One advantage that Andersen has over the Buffs coach is that the program wasn't in anywhere near the mess that his program was in when he went to Boulder 4 years ago. As a result, we're maybe a 1/2 year ahead of them in getting on track. We are competing and losing close in year two, and finished on a very high note. It's irrelevant how horrendously bad Arizona is (how silly must ASU feel after giving up 500+ rushing yards last night and losing by three TDs to the 'cats?) or how down the ucks are (they may have quit on Helfridge after all)
We took care of our business, and it looks like we have a chance to be a much better team next fall with such a heavy group of experienced young guys returning. We will have to figure out this QB thing. We are so much more like Utah than Colorado in terms of what we are looking at. We are one dynamic, steady performer at that position from having being a really good offensive team. Until we get that satisfactorily solved, we will rely on ground and pound (losing 3 starters from the O-line will be challenging) on offense and an ever-improving defense to keep games close against the best and to wear down those who are less than that. We have so many good people returning in our back 7 that if we can only figure out a competent rotation on the D-line, we could be a much tougher and more consistent defense next year.
Great job today, Beavs. Way to finish on a high note. Here's hoping that the coaches close strong on the recruiting trail and that stud linebacker from Salt Lake sticks with us when he returns from his mission in June. I'm encouraged tonight, and very much looking forward to seeing evidence of improvement in the fall!